Buck Showalter ‘eager’ to see Jacob deGrom return to Citi Field

For the first time in 396 days, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s « Simple Man » will play over the speakers at Citi Field as Jacob deGrom takes to the mound on Sunday.

In case the five-game series finale against the Braves didn’t already have enough juice, deGrom’s home debut should add an extra level of buzz to his second start of the season.

« We wanted to try and get one under his belt before he got here, but that’s how the medical rehab also failed, » manager Buck Showalter said on Saturday ahead of the double sweep of the Put on the Braves. « There’s emotion every time we play at home, but that’s one of the great things about playing here and in New York. There’s a real connection with Jake and the time he’s been there. here so long, they know what he has done and the contributions.

“So I think everyone plays on that emotion a little bit. I can’t wait to see. You get the best shot out of everyone, especially the people who face Jake. There are no secrets, and we know Atlanta will be ready. So it will be a good test for him.

Since the last pitch at Citi Field on July 7, 2021, deGrom spent the rest of the year on the injured list with a sprained elbow before landing there again to start this year with a stress reaction on his shoulder blade. right.

In his season debut on Tuesday, deGrom pitched five solid innings on 59 pitches against the Nationals. He could be in line to build up to six innings and around 75 pitches on Sunday.

Tylor Megill is due to kick off a bullpen session next Saturday, his first since going to IL in June with a pulled shoulder. If his rehab continues to go well, he could return to the Mets by the end of August — when he’ll join the bullpen after being mostly a starter thus far.

« I’m okay with that, » Megill said. “As long as I help the team, that’s all that matters. Obviously I want to start, but now, if that’s what they need me to do, so be it, I’ll do it. I did it in college, so I kind of understand all the way to the bullpen. But it’s exciting to be able to go out for a round or two and get things going.

The Mets placed reliever Tommy Hunter on the 15-day IL with a lower back tightness, opening up a roster spot for David Peterson, who started the 8-5 win over the Braves in the opener. a doubleheader on Saturday and allowing the club to add reliever Yoan Lopez as the 27th man.

Hunter, who pitched two innings Friday, has a history of back problems, including season-ending surgery last year. But Showalter and Hunter both hoped that a brief stint in IL would solve the problem.

« We’re going to get it under control, » Hunter said. “It’s not new. This one just lasted a little longer than the others.